IDD Questions

At PainCare, as a comprehensive pain treatment facility, traction therapy is utilized as but one component of a patient’s physical therapy program. While it benefits many patients, it is not a treatment suitable for all. But because the treatment is better tolerated than the more traditional physical therapy for those with acute disc herniation, a combination of physical therapy modalities, exercises, tissue mobilization, neuromuscular re-education along with traction tend to in our experience produce the best results.

Whereas patients with acute disc herniation with standard physical therapy too frequently drop-out after a visit or two because of worsening pain, PainCare’s program makes it better tolerated for patients to undergo the combination of treatments and to successfully progress to treatment completion,

Once the patient overcomes the acute stage of back pain, sciatica etc., they can then more meaningfully progress to core strengthening exercises to prevent against future re-injury.

For most patients, a combination of interventional procedures, medication and physical therapy will work better than going from one treatment to another sequentially but without a comprehensive plan. PainCare Medical Group, as do a few pain centers like us around the country, specializes in the comprehensive management of spine related problems.
Q: What does the IDD stand for?
A: IDD stands for Intervertebral Differential Dynamics, which can only be applied through a computer directed, highly advanced technology which allows a specific spinal segment to be targeted for a treatment which uses a computerized means of differentiating between spinal segments and applying a dynamic therapy to mobilize a spinal structure.

Q: If I use IDD Therapy®, when will I start feeling better?
A: Many patients start feeling improvement by the second week of the treatment.

Q: Are there any side effects to the treatments?
A: Most patients do not experience any adverse side effects from undergoing IDD Therapy®. Occasionally, a few patients experience muscle spasm for a limited time.

Q: Are there any drugs used in the treatment?
A: Although drug therapy is not a mainstay of IDD Therapy®, some clinicians advocate the use of anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants.

Q: How long does it take to complete the treatment?
A: Each treatment session lasts approximately 30 minutes and is repeated approximately 20 times over the course of 35 days. The number of sessions depends on the severity of the problem.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: A session of IDD costs no more than a session of massage. Most patients will require a total of 20 sessions. Some patients will need maintenance treatments, usually a few times a month for continued pain control. For those who also need physical therapy, the cost of IDD Therapy is separate from the cost of physical therapy. It is an add-on component outside of the patient’s physical therapy insurance coverage.

Q: Does IDD Therapy® involve surgery or injections?
A: No. IDD Therapy® is completely non-invasive, is non-surgical and involves no injections. Not only is IDD Therapy® safe and painless, it’s also comfortable and relaxing.